Community members gathered to remember Sara Gifford and pay homage to her life and legacy. (Photo Courtesy of Diptiman Das)
By Laurel Bennett, Features Editor
In Dec. of 2023, it was announced to the campus community that the Assistant Director of International Student Services (ISS) Sara Gifford had tragically passed away. Although Gifford had only worked at Gettysburg College for one semester, she had an immense impact on students and was known for her kind and loving spirit. Director of ISS Brad Lancaster and Program Coordinator for ISS Carla Pavlick, along with the participation of Diptiman Das ’27, were instrumental in organizing a rememory event in honor of Gifford on March 28.
Lancaster knew that he wanted a memorial in the International Student Center (ISC) building, and he was aware that Das was a highly talented portrait artist. Lancaster and Pavlick brainstormed the community art project as a way to remember and memorialize Gifford.
International student Diptiman Das ’27 was instrumental in creating this event. (Photo Courtesy of Diptiman Das)
“[Gifford’s passing] was a big shock for everybody,” Lancaster explained. “Her passing was very traumatic for not only the campus, but also our international students in our office. I think that part of the process of working through the pain that everybody felt was coming back after some time to continue processing it. A community art project like this seemed to be the perfect way to get everybody back together.”
Pavlick echoed Lancaster’s sentiments and explained just how meaningful the process of creating the memorial was.
“[The community art project] seemed like a very fitting way for us to create a lasting memorial to have students who knew and loved Sara be able to participate in a project,” Pavlick said. “We felt that a project where there was an opportunity for students to contribute a little bit would be very meaningful.”
As an international student, Das had an incredibly close relationship with Gifford that went beyond her being the Assistant Director of the ISC house.
“She was a mentor, a friend and a steadfast supporter. It was last Christmas when she asked me to create a painting of her husband as his favorite anime character, Naruto. And I was about to meet her to deliver the painting the very day she had her accident,” Sas said. “ I was texting her, consistently, to show my final artwork. She never saw my text, never replied, and never will… my to-be-finished piece forever became my incomplete painting. I was excited about our 5 p.m. meet but around noon time I got an email from President Iuliano and the director of ISC, Brad Lancaster regarding her passing away.”
The passing of Gifford left an absence in the ISC, making it very difficult for students to return. As a result, Das and members of the ISC wanted to bring comfort to the house and honor Gifford’s memory.
Das said, “The idea that blossomed was simple yet profound: a communal painting session where each person could leave their mark — perhaps with just one stroke of paint. This unique concept transformed into a beautiful opportunity for everyone to engage and find joy in the act of creation together.”
Das drew the initial sketch of the painting and utilized color to bring it to life prior to the rememory event. The event was highly successful, and many faculty members, as well as students, attended.
Director of ISS Brad Lancaster added strokes to the portrait. (Photo William Oehler/The Gettysburgian)
“Lancaster, Pavlick and Claire Palmer extended invitations to esteemed guests like Jeff Foster and Cristina Garcia, whose attendance brought a special gravitas. I reached out to my professors, friends from the States, and those from abroad,” Das said. “To my delight, they all came, filling the space with warmth and camaraderie. The presence of Professor Catherine Frost and Professor Patturaja Selvaraj only heightened the sense of community and support that enveloped us all.”
Das continued, “Witnessing each individual contribute their brushstroke became a powerful symbol of our campus’s unity and support. It was a poignant blend of mourning and celebration, a fitting tribute to Sara’s enduring impact.”
One of the challenges of the event was participants not feeling confident in their artistic abilities and not wanting to mess up the beautiful piece. Pavlick praised Das’s ability as a natural teacher to instruct participants how to add their brushstrokes to the portrait.
Das expanded, “But true artistry emerges when we dare to transcend the rules, connecting our emotions with our colors and strokes. Sara had a gift for making everyone feel included and heard, no matter how busy she was or the hour.”
Das noted that Lancaster had concerns that the event might bring about painful memories for participants. However, Das sought to create a warm environment at the event that would prevent these feelings.
“Yet, I was determined to honor Sara’s legacy by fostering joy, not sorrow. I did my utmost to engage each participant, ensuring the event felt like a warm interaction with Sara, rather than a somber remembrance,” Das stated. “Sara’s wish was always for happiness to prevail. I like to think she’s still with us in spirit, watching over every moment.”
The event gave Das a way to meet new faces on campus and help them make their mark.
He concluded, “Through this event, the brushstrokes of our community have brought a sense of completion to my incomplete painting, infusing it with a collective spirit that nearly fulfills its intended purpose.”
Das added final touches to the portrait, which will be displayed in the ISC house. The portrait will have a gallery card with an explanatory plaque beneath it so that future Gettysburg students will know who Gifford was and her effect on Gettysburg College.
Community members gathered in the International Student Center building to participate. (Photo Courtesy of Diptiman Das)
The completed portrait will be hung in the International Student Center house. (Photo William Oehler/The Gettysburgian)
“Witnessing each individual contribute their brushstroke became a powerful symbol of our campus’s unity and support,” Das said. (Photo Courtesy of Diptiman Das)
Students waited to add their own touch to the portrait. (Photo William Oehler/The Gettysburgian)
Das drew the initial sketch of the portrait. (Photo Courtesy of Diptiman Das)
Faculty members and students attended. (Photo Courtesy of Diptiman Das)
“Sara’s wish was always for happiness to prevail. I like to think she’s still with us in spirit, watching over every moment,” Das shared. (Photo William Oehler/The Gettysburgian)
Assistant Director of ISS Sara Gifford tragically passed away in Dec. 2023. (Photo William Oehler/The Gettysburgian)
